History of Henry VI, Part I

Joan la Pucelle. The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly.
Now help, ye charming spells and periapts;
And ye choice spirits that admonish me
And give me signs of future accidents.
2450[Thunder]You speedy helpers, that are substitutes
Under the lordly monarch of the north,
Appear and aid me in this enterprise.
[Enter Fiends]2455This speedy and quick appearance argues proof
Of your accustom'd diligence to me.
Now, ye familiar spirits, that are cull'd
Out of the powerful regions under earth,
Help me this once, that France may get the field.
2460[They walk, and speak not]O, hold me not with silence over-long!
Where I was wont to feed you with my blood,
I'll lop a member off and give it you
In earnest of further benefit,
2465So you do condescend to help me now.
[They hang their heads]No hope to have redress? My body shall
Pay recompense, if you will grant my suit.
[They shake their heads]2470Cannot my body nor blood-sacrifice
Entreat you to your wonted furtherance?
Then take my soul, my body, soul and all,
Before that England give the French the foil.
[They depart]2475See, they forsake me! Now the time is come
That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest
And let her head fall into England's lap.
My ancient incantations are too weak,
And hell too strong for me to buckle with:
2480Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust.
[Exit][Excursions. Re-enter JOAN LA PUCELLE fighting hand]to hand with YORK. JOAN LA PUCELLE is taken. The
French fly]
2485

Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). Damsel of France, I think I have you fast:
Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms
And try if they can gain your liberty.
A goodly prize, fit for the devil's grace!
See, how the ugly wench doth bend her brows,
2490As if with Circe she would change my shape!

Earl of Suffolk. Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.
[Gazes on her]O fairest beauty, do not fear nor fly!
2505For I will touch thee but with reverent hands;
I kiss these fingers for eternal peace,
And lay them gently on thy tender side.
Who art thou? say, that I may honour thee.

Earl of Suffolk. An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call'd.
Be not offended, nature's miracle,
Thou art allotted to be ta'en by me:
So doth the swan her downy cygnets save,
2515Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings.
Yet, if this servile usage once offend.
Go, and be free again, as Suffolk's friend.
[She is going]O, stay! I have no power to let her pass;
2520My hand would free her, but my heart says no
As plays the sun upon the glassy streams,
Twinkling another counterfeited beam,
So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes.
Fain would I woo her, yet I dare not speak:
2525I'll call for pen and ink, and write my mind.
Fie, de la Pole! disable not thyself;
Hast not a tongue? is she not here?
Wilt thou be daunted at a woman's sight?
Ay, beauty's princely majesty is such,
2530Confounds the tongue and makes the senses rough.

Queen Margaret. Say, Earl of Suffolk—if thy name be so—
What ransom must I pay before I pass?
For I perceive I am thy prisoner.

Earl of Suffolk. How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit,
2535Before thou make a trial of her love?

Earl of Suffolk. Yet so my fancy may be satisfied,
And peace established between these realms
But there remains a scruple in that too;
For though her father be the King of Naples,
Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor,
2555And our nobility will scorn the match.

Reignier. Suffolk, what remedy?
I am a soldier, and unapt to weep,
Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness.

Earl of Suffolk. Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord:
2600Consent, and for thy honour give consent,
Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king;
Whom I with pain have woo'd and won thereto;
And this her easy-held imprisonment
Hath gained thy daughter princely liberty.
2605

Earl of Suffolk. Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child,
Fit to be made companion with a king:
What answer makes your grace unto my suit?

Reignier. Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth
To be the princely bride of such a lord;
2620Upon condition I may quietly
Enjoy mine own, the country Maine and Anjou,
Free from oppression or the stroke of war,
My daughter shall be Henry's, if he please.

Earl of Suffolk. That is her ransom; I deliver her;
2625And those two counties I will undertake
Your grace shall well and quietly enjoy.

Reignier. And I again, in Henry's royal name,
As deputy unto that gracious king,
Give thee her hand, for sign of plighted faith.
2630

Earl of Suffolk. Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks,
Because this is in traffic of a king.
[Aside]And yet, methinks, I could be well content
To be mine own attorney in this case.
2635I'll over then to England with this news,
And make this marriage to be solemnized.
So farewell, Reignier: set this diamond safe
In golden palaces, as it becomes.

Reignier. I do embrace thee, as I would embrace
2640The Christian prince, King Henry, were he here.

Queen Margaret. That for thyself: I will not so presume
To send such peevish tokens to a king.

[Exeunt REIGNIER and MARGARET]

Earl of Suffolk. O, wert thou for myself! But, Suffolk, stay;
Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth;
2660There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk.
Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise:
Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount,
And natural graces that extinguish art;
Repeat their semblance often on the seas,
2665That, when thou comest to kneel at Henry's feet,
Thou mayst bereave him of his wits with wonder.